Mankind's continued existence has been put to the test by repeated occurrences of nature disasters and abnormal climate changes over the past decade. Many countries have encountered political and economic fluctuations; internal disorders and wars are becoming more frequent and are not easily settled in a short timeframe. In addition to getting used to the changes of our surviving environment, we have to adjust ourselves in recognition of these changes and take action to fit into the new order of the world.

That is why UN NGO Association of World Citizens holds the 2010 World Summit on Human Rights for World Citizens (WSHR) in April, and receives the overwhelming responses from the heads of state and prominent leaders of over 196 countries in 5 continents. Up till today, more than 9000 organizations and 61000 essays have been submitted to take part in this activity. In addition, H.E. Mr. Lee Myung-bak, President of South Korea, has also delivered his 2 speeches at the 64 th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations on September 23, 2009 and at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen on December 17, 2009 to support the Summit .

In his speech at the 64 th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, President Lee recalls that “the special historic ties between the republic of Korea and the United Nations. The contemporary history of the republic of Korea began with the UN. At the time of Korean War , Korea was among the least developed countries in the world, with a per capita income of less than 50 dollars. But to everyone's surprise, Korea was able to achieve both industrialization and democratization in only a single generation. Korea has transformed itself from an aid recipient country to a donor country.” President Lee contributes this amazing achievement not only to Korean people's toils and tears, but also to the United Nation's invaluable support. With such an achievement, President Lee openly expressed that “ Korea will embark on a path of actively contributing to the world and all of humanity.” Furthermore, president mentions that the country is aiming to become a Global Korea by t ripling its official development assistance (ODA) by 2015, and takiong part in making the global partnership for more effective development cooperation even stronger. The countrey would also be actively engaged in promoting international peace, security and countering terrorism. Regarding the enviroment, President Lee urges all the nations to participate in tackling the challenges of climate change. Moreover, t he Republic of Korea had adopted a “Low-Carbon Green Growth” strategy, through which it would invest roughly 2 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) in green growth over the next five years. 

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, the Chair of 2010 WSHR for World Citizens and the Chair of 2010 WSHR Executive Committee as well, is invited to attend “the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in South Africa , and delivers a speech called “the World After 2002 – the Sustainable Development of Love and Peace” at the summit. In his speech, Dr. Hong mentions that “Peace bring happiness and fortune to humanity, while war delivers misery, pain, poverty and even destruction. He further appeals that only love and peace can help the world to reach the sustainable future. This important concept has become the guideline for the world since 2002. As a result, more and more global leaders and elites have put this into practice to strive for the world peace and love.

This year of 2010 marks the 60 th Anniversary of Korean War. The republic of Korea also stands to chair the 2010 G 20 Seoul Summit and host the Nuclear Security Summit in 2012. Today, the whole country has come such a long way from 60 years ago, and burst itself with pride. All these properties and achievements would not have been possible without the three decades of stability and peace that allow the country to develop.

World War I took more than 15 million lives, wounded 20 million people and affected the lives of 1.5 billion people, two-thirds of the world's population at that time. World War II killed more than 27 million soldiers and 55 million civilians, and dragged near 2 billion people or 80% of the world's populations into war. The calamities of two World Wars caused a lot of changes to the world, and people have come to appreciate the fortunes of peace, which is evidenced by the continuous advocacy by the United Nations to protect human rights for world peace. With the current fever of 2010 World Cup in South Africa , the spirit of the sport games, such as Olympic, where nations call a truce in wars to engage in sport competitions is a demonstration of the peace-loving nature of humanity. Human beings have learned from the Olympic games to respect each other and to live in peace. God loves people and, as a spiritual symbol to humanity, sets an example of mercy, forgiveness, respect and tolerance for mankind to follow. The Confucianists in the east share similar philosophies.

We should join together, hand in hand and put into practice the heavenly-endowed heart of compassion, mercy, goodness, justice, courage and wisdom to promote world peace, harmony and social welfare. That is why the 2010 WSHR has successfully received wide recognitions and discussions among heads of state and government, prominent figures of 196 countries including Presidents, Kings, Queens, Prime Ministers, Governor-Generals, the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Parliament members from different countries, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, t he Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as many non-governmental organizations around the world . These leaders have also contributed their own perspectives to the Summit on AWC website with articles that include theoretical and practical examples to form an important database for reference that focuses on human rights development for world citizens, environmental protection and the collective efforts to safeguard the earth.

Benefited by the technology of Internet, the information can be sent from all different places to every corner of the world. AWC website is now extending the invitation of submitting articles for 2010 WSHR until August 31st. Articles are welcomed by email at info@fowpal.org . More detailed information is available online at www.fowpal.org for easy reference and understanding about the event.